In a trial to study the arthropods associated with sapstain and mould fungi, freshly sawn Corsican pine (Pinus nigra var. maritima (Aiton) Melville) boards were block stacked at a local sawmill. Each stack was constructed in a nest arrangement with smaller boards in experimental tanks, positioned in the centre of the stacks. Boards were converted from a stock of sawlogs at monthly intervals, to provide host material of different ages. Filters and screens were used to exclude arthropods and airborne inoculum from selected experimental tanks. The experimental tanks were removed monthly and the insect community and fungal defacement assessed. The highest numbers of arthropods were recorded during the summer months, maximum numbers being approximately 20 insects and 100 mites per 500 cm2 board surface. Ninety-four species of arthropods have been identified from the experimental material (sawlogs through to experimental boards) with 90% from within the stacked lumber itself. The most abundant were Dipteran larvae, fungus gnats (Mycetophilidae: Diptera) and Atheta coriaria Kraatz (Staphylinidae: Coleoptera). The exclusion of the arthropods from experimental tanks lead to a significant rise in the amount of mould, but not sapstain fungi. Studies were carried out at different seasons over two years. The significance of arthropods in the fungal defacement of sawn lumber is discussed.

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